Anyone can overcome a stalled job search
After the initial reaction of losing your job, senior candidates often discover a new-found freedom that causes them to pause and reflect on how much time they spent at work.
Naturally, wanting to take some time off sounds appealing, and sometimes taking a break can be a powerful strategy in renewing your energy and honing in on a career direction.
There is nothing wrong about taking time off before starting your search, but you need to consider the hidden risks.
Without overreacting, it helps to pay attention to a subtle sign that your job search is in jeopardy. The stall begins with a slow drift into inactivity with delays blamed on unfavorable marketplace conditions and a lack of opportunities. However, most stalled job searches are self-made.
Mature job seekers are often the most at risk in wanting to take time off before heading back into the marketplace. A stalled job search can be very challenging in getting started finding new opportunities because it affects two key components that make a search successful: your physical energy and mindset.
If you think your search is in a stall, the good news you can break it with implementing a few simple techniques.
It starts with establishing a routine. Having a daily structure can be taken for granted when you are employed; even though you might have occasionally complained about the amount of time spent at work, it provided a ready-made schedule.
A job search is self-directed with the agenda you set, and the challenge is keeping your momentum moving forward when you feel as though your efforts are not producing results.
You create a new routine with scheduled activities when you start defining your full-time job as “finding a job” with a daily agenda by outlining what you intend to accomplish.
Using a “Four P” model can help you prevent an unnecessary stall in your job search by building momentum and structure in your search: prioritize, plan, people and persevere.
Prioritize: Senior job candidates who struggle with landing a job often develop a case of tunnel vision focused on everything but prioritizing their time and developing goals.
Many times the absence of opportunities is directly related to how much time you spend being active in your search and not so much on the lack of skills or experience.
A simple way to overcoming a stalled search is by prioritizing your day with steps leading to your career goals. When you plan your most daunting tasks first, it helps you avoid procrastination that keeps you stuck in a job rut.
List your priorities into a group of three, starting with the most important tasks. For example, a senior candidate who disliked making follow-up calls would schedule them early in the morning and then move toward less unpleasant tasks. The second list should be activities only after your priorities are completed, and last list would be noncritical activities toward your search.
Plan: Without a good plan, you’ll lose traction with your job search, said Daniel Turban, professor and chair of the department of management in the MU Robert J. Trulaske Sr. College of Business, “We found it most interesting that metacognitive activities — thinking about a plan, acting on a plan and reflecting upon that a plan — were important early in the job search, while having positive emotions was important later in the job search.”
People: Talking with people helps you feel connected, and the hidden leads you are likely to discover will give you a much-needed boost.
Even though you may have reached out to everyone in your networking circle, step back and look at other networking opportunities you could be missing. One of the most beneficial activities is joining a job search group where shared experiences often help “normalize” the unemployment process.
Persevere: A self-directed search can be challenging, especially in getting started with tasks outside your comfort area. Applying for jobs and meeting new people might not be your favorite activities, but they are necessary for a brighter career future. Partnering with another job candidate can help you both maintain your goals provide accountability.
Taking action moves your job search forward, but an attitude that looks beyond the mechanics of a search will carry you through when your search stalls. Learn to view job searching as part of your career and not your identity.